Minimum Daily Pay & Show-Up Pay in BC: The 2-Hour and 4-Hour Rules Explained

If I show up to work and get sent home in BC, do I get paid?

Yes. Under section 34 of BC's Employment Standards Act, if you report for a scheduled shift you are entitled to a minimum of 2 hours' pay where your shift was 8 hours or less, or 4 hours' pay where your shift was scheduled for more than 8 hours. This applies regardless of the reason you were sent home, whether that is slow business, early closure, or any other employer-driven decision.

Is there a 4-hour minimum shift in BC?

There is no general 4-hour minimum shift rule for all BC employees. The 4-hour minimum daily pay rule only applies where your scheduled shift was more than 8 hours and you reported for work. For shifts scheduled at 8 hours or less, the minimum is 2 hours' pay. Your employment contract or a collective agreement may provide a higher minimum, but the statutory floor is 2 or 4 hours depending on scheduled shift length.

Does minimum daily pay apply to part-time workers in BC?

Yes. The minimum daily pay rule applies to most employees covered under BC's Employment Standards Act regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, probationary, or temporary. The only relevant factors are whether you reported for a scheduled shift and whether one of the recognized exceptions applies.

What if my shift is cancelled before I arrive?

Where a shift is cancelled before you report to work, the minimum daily pay rule under the ESA generally does not apply since the protection requires you to have physically reported for the shift. However, your employment contract, workplace policy, or a collective agreement may create separate obligations. Check your contract and any applicable policies if your shifts are being cancelled regularly before you arrive.

Does on-call status affect minimum daily pay in BC?

Being on call alone does not automatically trigger minimum daily pay. The protection applies when you physically report to work for a scheduled shift and are sent home early. Where you are called in and you report to work, the minimum daily pay rule may apply depending on the circumstances. If you are regularly on call and unclear about your entitlements, get advice about how the rule applies to your specific situation.

How do I recover minimum daily pay my employer has not paid in BC?

You can file a complaint with BC's Employment Standards Branch. The Branch investigates complaints and can order your employer to pay owed wages. A six-month limitation period generally applies to ESA complaints in BC, so act promptly. Getting legal advice before filing helps ensure your complaint captures the full amount you are entitled to recover.